Greece is the cradle of Western civilization. It witnessed the birth of democracy, great city-states like Athens and Sparta, and historical figures like Alexander the Great, Plato, Socrates, Epicurus, and Hippocrates.

It’s steeped in historical significance, and it’s also one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with turquoise seas, golden summers, great food, and lots of culture to absorb yourself in. It’s no wonder that over 30 million people visit the country every year, making a beeline for the capital city, Athens, as well as islands like Crete, Kos, Rhodes, and Santorini.

If you want to join them, you may need an ETIAS Visa Waiver, which is mandatory after 2022 for most travelers outside the Schengen area. Fortunately, getting an ETIAS Visa Waiver for Greece is actually quite straightforward.

ETIAS Visa Waiver for Greece

Greece is part of the Schengen Area and the European Union, so visitors from outside of the European Union may need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver before they can visit.

ETIAS stands for “European Travel Information and Authorization System” and is a system used to check all non-EU travelers, which helps to improve border control and help to tighten security for EU member states.

When you apply for an ETIAS, you will be asked some simple questions and your information will then be checked against international databases. This check is automatic and travel authorization is usually triggered quickly and then emailed to the recipient. However, if a problem arises on the ETIAS application, such as a prior criminal offense, it will flag the system and trigger a manual review.

The ETIAS application can be completed online in about ten minutes and will request all of the following information:

  • Basic/Biometric details (including your name, gender, date of birth, and place of birth)
  • Your phone number email address
  • Your home address
  • Current citizenship
  • The name of the country (Greece, in this case) that you intend to visit
  • An application fee

You must also meet some basic requirements before you can apply for the ETIAS and enter the Schengen Zone, including a valid passport, a short medical history, and work/education history. You will also be queried about your criminal record, deportation history, and whether or not you have recently visited a war zone.

If you get the all-clear from the European Travel Information and Authorization System, you will be able to freely travel to Greece and other countries in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days.

Visiting Greece with an ETIAS Visa Waiver

There are many reasons to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver for Greece.

It is estimated that over 3 million Greeks currently reside in the United States and many of these have started families and created generations of Greek-Americans that are keen to see their ancestral homeland.

It’s also a great destination for fans of history, as you can see the many museums and artifacts, as well as the Acropolis and the Parthenon. These two landmarks are often mistakenly believed to be the same thing. In fact, the Acropolis is the hill; the Parthenon is the building that sits on it. Both are breathtakingly beautiful and significant, though.

Greece is also the perfect destination for anyone who wants to sample some great food, culture, entertainment, and people.

See the modern city of Athens, the beautiful islands of Kos and Santorini, the old capital in Nafplio, or the former home of Alexander the Great in the north of the country.

Can I Visit Other Countries Nearby?

One of the few downsides of visiting Greece is that it’s not bordered by any other countries in the Schengen Zone. You’ll find Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Republic of Macedonia nearby, but you can’t simply hop over the border and may need an additional European visa. At the very least, you will need to check the country’s rules in advance to avoid any problems at the border.